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Our family is old friends with traditional baked potato bars. The kind where you use baked russet potatoes and top them with whatever you like. Some of the toppings include cheese, sour cream, broccoli, bacon, chives, chili, and more. It’s a favorite in our house.
But the #SundaySupper theme this week is All Things Orange, hosted by Pam of The Meltaways and while I was thinking of all the delicious fall-inspired and very orange dishes I could make, I thought: why not a DIY Baked Sweet Potato Bar?
So that’s exactly what we did and happy to share my steps so you can do one too.
The first step is baking your sweet potatoes. Our sweet potatoes were large, so I figured one potato per person eating, plus a couple extras. Wash your sweet potatoes well, and pierce them a few times with a fork or the tip of a knife. Bake on a foil-covered baking sheet in a 400 degree F oven for about 45 minutes or until the potatoes are very tender
As your sweet potatoes are baking, prepare your sweet potato toppings. We had options for both sweet and savory sweet potatoes. Each item was placed in a bowl or plate and set out buffet-style on our kitchen counter. We had: butter, honey, bacon, blue cheese, cheddar cheese, toasted coconut, green onions, Greek yogurt with honey, chopped pecans, and dried cranberries.
My husband made shredded pork by cooking up a pork roast, shredding it, and combining it with a sweet barbecue sauce. I used this on my Baked Sweet Potato. I sliced open my sweet potato and added a bit of butter. Then, I topped it with the shredded BBQ pork, some cheese, bacon, and green onions…it was SO good!
One of the favorite toppings was my Honey-Cinnamon Ricotta. It’s so simple to make, but so delicious in a Baked Sweet Potato! To make it, simply put a 15 oz container of ricotta in a bowl, mix with 4 tablespoons of honey, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir it up and spoon onto baked sweet potatoes that have been sliced opened.
Here’s one of the baked sweet potatoes that I made. After the sweet potato was baked, I cut a slit at the top of the potato lengthwise. I added a bit of butter, some of the Honey-Cinnamon Ricotta, a drizzle of honey, toasted coconut, pecans, and dried cranberries. This was my husband’s favorite!
Have you ever had a baked potato bar or baked sweet potato bar at home? What toppings do you think you would have?
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes (1 per person, or however many you like)
- butter, honey, crumbled bacon, Greek yogurt, sliced green onions, crumbled blue cheese, crumbled feta cheese, shredded Cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, toasted coconut flakes, chopped pecans, Honey-Cinnamon Ricotta (recipe below), shredded BBQ pork or chicken
- 15 oz container ricotta
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Wash sweet potatoes well, pierce skin several times with the tines of a fork or the tip of a knife (keep cuts very small). Baked on a foil-lined baking sheet in a 400 degree F oven for about 45 minutes or until tender.
- While potatoes are cooking, place toppings in small bowls or plates and arrange on table or kitchen counter in a buffet-style.
- To make a topped baked sweet potato, take a cook sweet potato and cut a slit in the top of the potato lengthwise. Push ends inward to help "fluff" up and open the sweet potato. Top as desired with toppings.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta together with honey, cinnamon, and vanilla. Serve as a baked sweet potato topping.
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Brandie Valenzuela is a food blogger and writer at Home Cooking Memories. She lives in Las Vegas, NV where she enjoys cooking, baking, modern-day recipe keeping and making everyday memories with her family. She is known to have an extremely normal obsession with cupcake liners, ribbons and office supplies.
I love this idea! I am totally going to have to try it this week! Thank you so much for joining in this week!
Pam @ The Meltaways recently posted..Spooky Stuffed Peppers for an All Things Orange #SundaySupper
Thank you, Pam! And thank you for hosting such a fun #SundaySupper!
Love this idea! We always do a baked potato bar but next time, we will try this instead!
Megan @Irun4Wine recently posted..Skinny Roasted Butternut Squash & Italian Sausage Soup for All Things Orange #SundaySupper
Thanks Megan! We usually do the baked potato bar too – I think 2 of my kids actually prefer those — but this is a great change of pace and perfect for Fall.
Wow! Baked sweet potatoes are awesome and I love the toppings you chose!
Patti recently posted..All Things Orange #SundaySupper Classic Orange Marmalade
Thanks Patti, the toppings were quite yummy!
I’m already dreaming about the shredded pork BBQ on the sweet potato. I have not thought of that before and now I have to have it….
Renee recently posted..Butternut Squash Soup for #SundaySupper
Thanks Renee! I’ve been craving the shredded BBQ pork w/ the sweet potato ever since I made it!
A sweet potato bar sounds like an amazing idea!!!! I love the idea of adding pulled pork…holy yum!!!!
Katie recently posted..Pumpkin Harvest Cookies for #SundaySupper
Thanks Katie! I was so glad we did the pulled pork too, it was so good on the sweet potato!
What a delicious, fun idea!
Bea recently posted..Carrot Ginger Soup for #SundaySupper
Thanks Bea!
What a delicious idea!!!!
Thank you, Sandi!
OMG. The cinnamon ricotta has me drooling!
Jen @JuanitasCocina recently posted..Curried Sweet Potato Salad with Cranberries and Pecans ~ All Things Orange #SundaySupper!
Thanks Jen! The honey-cinnamon ricotta was a favorite and SO easy to mix up.
That looks so amazing, the options for the topping are excellent ideas!!!
Tara Noland recently posted..Oranges En Surprise for All Things Orange at #SundaySupper
Thanks Tara! The brainstorming for sweet potato toppings was really fun. And every topping was used by someone so it all worked out!
I love this idea! Even though I love sweet potatoes baked, for some reason I always try to put them in a recipe. Sometimes simple is best!
Anne @ Webicurean recently posted..Drunken Pumpkin Bread #SundaySupper
Thanks Anne! I do love those simple things too.
Though the combinations are endless and all good, your sweet potato is perfect for me! The ricotta is wonderful and shredded pork just makes every meal better!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen recently posted..Orange Ricotta Pancakes #SundaySupper
Great recipe!
Kathia Rodriguez recently posted..BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CARROT BREAD #SundaySupper
Brilliant – you can make it for breakfast, a savoury main or a dessert!
Sarah recently posted..Spicy Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup for an Orange #SundaySupper
OMG this looks amazing! I can’t wait to try.
Sheila Fretz recently posted..#GlutenFree Sweet Potato Bacon Beet Salsa for #SundaySupper
Thank you so much, Sheila!
Fun! You’ve inspired me to roast some pork and bake some sweet potatoes for dinner tonight. Thanks for the great idea!
Tora Estep recently posted..Butternut squash and tomato soup: Celebrating all things orange for #SundaySupper
Baked Potato or Sweet Potato Bars are actually one of my favorite things to do. We sometimes do the same thing with huge bowls of mashes taters (of either variety). My favorite on a sweet potato is bacon, blue cheese, pecans, and butter. I’m salivating right now. And the sound of that pulled bbq pork on a sweet potato sounds awesome!
Heather @girlichef recently posted..Pumpkin Doughnuts w/ Spiced Buttermilk Glaze {#SundaySupper}
What a brilliant idea! Also love, love, love the idea of BBQ pork on top of a baked sweet potato. Yum!
diabeticFoodie recently posted..Moroccan Vegetable Stew for #SundaySupper
What an amazing idea! I never thought of making a whole meal out of sweet potatoes and toppers! Happy Sunday Supper!
Brandie, what an amazing idea! I never thought of making a whole meal out of sweet potatoes and toppers! Happy Sunday Supper!
What a fabulous idea!! I love sweet potatoes and the fixings that can go with them. It’s always so amazing to me how versatile sweet potatoes are.
The Wimpy Vegetarian recently posted..#SundaySupper: Cider-Spiced Sweet Potato Soup
I love baked sweet potatoes, but I’ve never had a savory one. Your baked sweet potato topped with the bbq pulled pork sounds absolutely delicious. Will have to try a savory version very soon.
Leslie @ La Cocina de Leslie recently posted..Atole de Camote {Sweet Potato Atole} #SundaySupper
This was my first experience with savory sweet potatoes too…so glad I tried it because it’s definitely going into our dinner rotation during the Autumn months. Thanks for visiting, Leslie!
Nice topping assortment, Brandie it sounds like fun!
Cindys Recipes recently posted..Vegan Pumpkin Orange Cake #SundaySupper
Loved it. Surely give this a try. Thank you so much for sharing.
Minnie(@thelady8home) recently posted..Menu Finds with Weekend Gala Extravaganza Dinner Party #4
What a terrific idea! And I love these toppings – so unique and different from a regular tater bar!
Laura @ Family Spice recently posted..Unprocessed and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread for #SundaySupper
Brilliant idea! Well done!
Dorothy at ShockinglyDelicious recently posted..Lentil Tacos with Sliced Olives
Brilliant idea, Brandie!!! You had me at shredded BBQ pork! Although pork isn’t my favourite, the chicken will surely do the trick! Nice one!
Lyn @LovelyPantry recently posted..Roasted Pumpkin & Coconut Soup for #SundaySupper
WOW love this idea! Love the toppings too, I’m giving this a shot! Thanks for sharing!
What a fantastic idea!!! My boys are going to love this, and mama is going to love the cinnamon ricotta
Stephanie{TheCookieADayChallenge} recently posted..Day 88: Cinnamon Rice Krispie Treats
I’m not a big sweet potato fan but my mother will LOVE this idea. I may have to set it up at Thanksgiving jsut for her.
Hezzi-D recently posted..Creamy Tomato Parmesan Pasta: Meatless Monday
Such a great idea this is!!I just love the toppings, so so delicious and fun too
Soni recently posted..Rigatoni with Pumpkin Ricotta Sauce ~ All things Orange #SundaySupper
Girl, this is so fun. Before the season runs out, must have a DIY bar at home. everyone loves sweet potatoes & DIY will be fab ! Thanks for the idea ! Creative, just like your instant oatmeal
Sunithi recently posted..Health Benefits Of The Fabulous Flax ! Feed Into It !
What a fun idea! I love a meal where everyone can make there own, so everyone is happy!
Thanks Erin…we love dinners like that were each person can make their own, they always seem to be the biggest hit in my house.
What a wonderful varieties of toppings and I love the shredded BBQ pork! G
Faye Leong recently posted..Sweet Potatoes Mini Balls for #SundaySupper
Brandie, I gasped in delight when I read the title to your blog post. A sweet potato BAR?! Yes please! And that photo of all your different toppings filling the table is a heavenly sight to behold – my sweet potato would’ve been a foot high. Awesome idea, lady!
Thanks Nancy!
I love this idea for a sweet potato bar! I would like some brown sugar and marshmellow please. Yummy!
Sarah recently posted..Pumpkin Ravioli #SundaySupper
Thanks Sarah! I *ALMOST* put out mini marshmallows…that would be a perfect topping too.
Brandie,
I LOVE this idea! It’s like a salad bar but TEN TIMES BETTER and soo creative! Thank you so much for sharing! this is a great fun date night!
Amber @ Mama’s Blissful Bites recently posted..Protect yourself this winter with Jojoba Oil
Thanks Amber! I really enjoyed it and have been craving it again! I’m thinking of doing it at least one more time before Autumn ends.
This is my kind of baked potato. You are a genius lady.
Kim Bee recently posted..Whole Wheat Pumpkin Challah: Guest Post by Roxana’s Home Baking
I love that you did a DIY thing here! Also, I love baked potatoes and you made this sweet potato look AMAZING! Yum!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted..Popcorn and O&CO. Truffle Oil
I love the idea of your DIY baked potato bar! Can’t wait to try it. Perfect for a fun weeknight meal!
This is such a great idea! Love it! Baked potato bars are so fun!
Jamie @ http://www.mamamommymom.com
Oh how yumilicious your Sweet Potato looks! I am going to have to try this with my family.
Eleanor recently posted..Play-Doh and Littlest Pet Shop via Dallice
Thank you, Eleanor! I’m craving it again!